Cuts: Harper wants advice, Liberals say food safety threatened

You're going to hear "cuts" a lot as the federal and provincial governments move closer to their new budgets amid deficit pressures and uncertain economic conditions.

Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty will likely table his fiscal plan in February or March.

Most federal departments and agencies have been told to prepare for cuts of 5 to 10 percent.

Following are news releases  issued today by the Prime Minister's Office and the Liberal's  Agriculture and Agri-Food critic.

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PM consults with Canadians on creating jobs and economic growth

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today met with Canadians involved with small and medium-sized businesses to discuss ways to continue creating jobs and economic growth in a difficult global economy.

“The global recovery remains fragile and protecting and creating jobs remains our government’s number one priority,” said the Prime Minister.

“As we prepare for Economic Action Plan 2012, our Government will continue to listen to entrepreneurs, workers, small business owners and hard-working Canadians on the best ways to create jobs and economic growth.”

Thanks to Canada’s Economic Action Plan and Canada’s strong economic and financial fundamentals, the Canadian economy has recovered from the global recession better than most other industrialized countries.

Among G-7 countries, Canada has posted the strongest growth in employment by far during the recovery with nearly 600,000 net new jobs created since July 2009.

Over the coming month, the Prime Minister, his Cabinet and caucus will travel to small towns, communities and cities across the country to listen to and seek the views of Canadians on the government’s long-term Economic Action Plan.

In order to ensure that all Canadians can participate in this process, the Government of Canada has also launched online pre-budget consultations.

Those wishing to make submissions can do so by visiting here.

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Canadians endangered by Conservative job cuts at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency

GUELPH  TORONTO – Liberal Agriculture and Agri-Food critic Frank Valeriote condemned plans by the Conservative government to cut hundreds of inspectors from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and reduce the agency’s funding by millions.

“The Conservative government is not only cutting 234 full-time CFIA food safety jobs, but $21.5 million from the food inspection budget,” said Mr. Valeriote. “There is something really concerning about a government that thinks food safety is only a temporary responsibility.”

A footnote in the CFIA’s annual planning report explains that the reductions stem from the short-term nature of the response to the 2008 listeriosis crisis, which killed 23 Canadians and resulted in hundreds more becoming seriously ill.

“Protecting the Canadian food supply and keeping Canadians safe from food-borne illnesses requires constant vigilance,” said Liberal Health critic, Dr. Hedy Fry. “The listeriosis crisis was a wake-up call and it is irresponsible of the Conservative government to risk the health of Canadians by making these reckless cuts. It is worth remembering that John Baird, Tony Clement and Jim Flaherty – all trusted ministers in Mr. Harper’s cabinet – presided over the cuts to Ontario public health during the Harris government that resulted in the Walkerton Tragedy.”

In 2010, US regulators warned Canadian officials that the number of inspectors and inspections of food processing plants had to increase if Canadian food exports to the US were to continue.

The aforementioned CFIA cuts and the additional 10 percent cut stemming from the Conservative’s strategic and operating review send the wrong message to a key trading partner, as well as domestic consumers, about the safety of Canadian food products.

“The Conservatives cannot speak about accepting the recommendations of the Weatherill Report, pat themselves on the back for appointing 170 new inspectors and then, while no one is looking, cut staff and funding,” said Mr. Valeriote. “Minister Gerry Ritz must act responsibly and inform Canadians how many inspectors will be cut, what reductions will occur to the frequency of inspection of food processing facilities and what plans are in place for a future, food-borne crisis.”
 
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